23092 Private
17th Battalion, Royal Scots, 106th Brigade, 35th Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: Killed in Action on 29 September 1918
Buried: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 11 to 14
Family history: He was the son Mrs Jessie Mill, City Hill, Maddiston. He was a miner before he enlisted on 2 June 1915. Two elder brothers, Pte George Mills, Royal Scots and Pte John Mills, Labour Corps also served.
The action that lead to his death
During the night of the 27/28 September 1918 the battalion was at Zillebeke Lake (Canal Sector) and had assembled for the attack in reserve to the 12th and 18th Battalions Highland Light Infantry. One Company continued to hold the front line posts in the vicinity of Manor Farm, the remaining three Company’s being around Belgian Battery Corner. The attack was launched at 5.30am on 28 September and the battalion moved forward to the assembly positions South West of Zillebeke Lake. At 8.45am the battalion moved forward in close support to the 12th H.L.I. at Hedge Street Tunnels arriving there and taking up positions on the Western slopes. At 11.45am the battalion moved to the left flank of the 18th H.L.I. in occupying and holding the Alaska House Ridge. The battalion remained in position on Alaska House Ridge until the afternoon of the 29 September when they moved forward in support of the 105 Brigade in capturing the Tenbrielen - Blaegnert Farm line and pushing on towards Werviq. 18th H.L.I. being on the right and 17th Royal Scots on the left. This order was amended and the Battalion was ordered to attack and support the left flank of the North Staffs who were going to capture the above objectives. At 3.10pm the battalion advance and passed through Zandvoorde-Tenbrielen Road. The advance was checked and progress was only possible by cooperation of fire and movement. At night patrols were pushed forward to Blegnaert Farm and Tenbrielen.
Map showing the Zandvoorde - Ten Brielen Road and Blegnaert Farm
The battalion had 15 Officers and 275 Other Ranks killed, wounded and missing.
James had already been wounded in action on 21 October 1916 before he was killed in the above action.
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